Aurigny's plans up in the air due to quarantine restrictions

Wednesday 12 August 2020

The announcement of seven-day testing from Sunday has made no difference to passenger numbers, Aurigny has said, as the airline opts to stick to a reduced schedule which some have described as a "shambles" that ignores the needs of university students.

Aurigny is extending the current Guernsey to Southampton only schedule until Friday 18 September, with a return to the planned schedule no sooner than 21 September, although this date will continue to be reviewed.

Shortly after announcing that schedule, Aurigny said there was not enough demand to justify re-opening any other routes. However, the airline said it "may put on a Student Express Service" if new and returning university students let them know where they need to go. 

Economic Development Committee Member Deputy Neil Inder said that was simply not good enough. 

"As a member of CfED we got the notification of the Aurigny winter schedules at 13.51 this afternoon," he tweeted. "You'd think they would a) know students need to return b) had the sense to talk to education c) told their political Board at STSB.

"Aurigny have scuppered 100s of students ability to get to their University. What a bloody shambles. Parents been hanging on for news, flights cancelled #reviveandthrive what a joke."

A Spokesperson for Aurigny said that not knowing when quarantine restrictions will end has had a profound impact on the airline's future planning. 

"The reason for the change is that whilst the quarantine in Guernsey and Alderney remains at 14 days, the demand for travel remains low. We have seen no evidence of increased bookings post 16 August, the date when quarantine will change to seven days in Guernsey, Sark and Herm on receipt of a negative test. 

Aurigny have scuppered 100s of students ability to get to their University. What a bloody shambles. Parents been hanging on for news, flights cancelled #reviveandthrive what a joke.

— tothevale (@tothevale) August 11, 2020

Pictured: Deputy Inder was unimpressed by Aurigny's decision.

"We have made these changes to enable our customers to make travel arrangements in advance and either change or amend any existing bookings made on routes not operating from the 1 September until the 21. All customers with bookings during this time will be contacted with options to change or cancel flights."

Aurigny continues to operate scheduled services to the Isle of Man and Alderney.

"We have been delighted with the level of interest in both the Isle of Man airbridge and Alderney as destinations during the summer," said the spokesperson. 

Pictured: Alderney, Isle of Man and Southampton are the only air links in the agenda for the next six weeks.

"The Isle of Man airbridge currently ends on the 13 September and Aurigny is refining its schedule from 21 September onwards in anticipation of possible relaxed entry requirements to Guernsey, while also being fully aware these entry requirements may not have changed at that stage.

"As ever Aurigny will update customers as soon as it can and looks forward to operating a more diverse schedule when it is practical to do so within the confines of any travel restrictions."